Disney bought Capital Cities/ABC back in 1995 for a staggering $19 billion. That deal was a monster—it gave Mickey Mouse a live-action broadcast network, a bunch of cable channels, and even ESPN.
So, when you watch Grey’s Anatomy or Good Morning America? You’re technically watching a Disney property. Think of ABC as the cool, slightly older sibling who lives in the same mansion as Disney Channel and Marvel.
But wait—there’s a hilarious irony here.
ABC is a broadcast network. That means it’s free to watch with an antenna. Meanwhile, Disney+ is a streaming service you pay for every month. So, Disney makes money both ways: from old-school commercials and from your subscription.
It’s like owning the bakery and the coffee shop next door. You can get a donut free, but you’ll pay for the latte. Clever, right?
